Donovan Staying!!!!!!!!!!

Published April 5th, 2007

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Coach Billy Donovan will stay atFlorida, spurning a chance to return to Kentucky and take over thetradition-rich program. Donovan met with Gators athletic director Jeremy Foley earlier Thursday and agreed to stay at the place he's taken to consecutive national titles."After finally having an opportunity to sit down with myfamily, and with Jeremy Foley, I've decided that I will remain atthe University of Florida," Donovan said in a statement. "I havegreat respect for the University of Kentucky, its great history andtradition, and I had five wonderful years in Lexington.

"That being said, I'm very proud of what we've built here atthe University of Florida and I look forward to continuing to buildon it."Florida planned a 4 p.m. news conference Thursday to formallyannounce Donovan's decision. Juniors Corey Brewer, Taurean Green,Al Horford and Joakim Noah also were to be there, announcingwhether they are staying in school or turning pro.Donovan acknowledged interest in the Kentucky job this week,saying he had a lot of admiration for the Wildcats. But he alsosaid he intended to stay in Gainesville.The Gators became the first team to win back-to-back titlessince Duke in 1992. But following Monday night's 84-75 victoryagainst Ohio State, Donovan's future had become the biggestquestion mark surrounding Florida.Donovan became the obvious top candidate to replace Tubby Smith,who left last month to take the head job at Minnesota. Donovan wasan assistant at Kentucky for five years beginning in 1989.But he spent the last 11 years in Gainesville, putting downroots with his wife and four children. He also turned a mediocrebasketball program into a national power - at a place wherefootball used to be king - defying the conventional wisdom held byhis mentor, Rick Pitino, his predecessor, Lon Kruger, and dozens ofother naysayers around the country.Donovan has two years remaining on his current contract worth$1.7 million annually, but was expected to sign a long-termextension. He has not yet agreed to a new deal with Florida.University of Florida president Bernie Machen and Foley havebeen working on a new contract for Donovan since last year.Negotiations began during Florida's 2006 title run, but Donovanpostponed signing a deal worth about $2 million because he didn'twant to send the wrong message to the players who turned down NBAriches to stay in school.Donovan's next contract could be worth considerably more now.Kentucky received permission to talk to Donovan about itscoaching vacancy Wednesday. The coach and Kentucky AD MitchBarnhart met early Thursday morning, and Donovan later told him heintended to stay at Florida."I had a conversation with Billy Donovan today to gauge anyinterest he might have in the head coaching position at Kentucky,"Barnhart said in a statement. "Billy informed me that he intendsto stay in Gainesville. As a former UK assistant, we wish him the very best."Obviously, finding the right coach is more important thanfinding the next coach quickly. Patience remains a priority as wecontinue to identify the best individual to lead the Big BlueNation."